Hey there! Is there anything better than curling up by a crackling fire on a chilly evening? I don’t think so! Did you know that adding a fireplace can increase your home’s value by up to 12%? That’s huge! Whether you’re remodeling or just dreaming, choosing the right design can feel totally overwhelming. I’ve been there, staring at swatches until my eyes crossed. But don’t worry, I’ve gathered the absolute best living room fireplace designs to inspire you. Let’s dive in and get your space looking cozy and chic!
1.Modern Minimalist Gas Fireplaces
Honestly, these are my favorite right now. If you hate clutter and love clean lines, you’re gonna love this style. A modern gas fireplace is usually linear—meaning it’s a long, rectangular shape rather than a square box. It often sits flush with the wall, so it doesn’t take up any floor space, which is great if your living room is on the smaller side.
I helped a friend pick one out last year, and it totally changed her room. We looked at designs that were just simple glass and flame. No big fake logs, maybe just some glass rocks or river stones inside. The wall around it is usually pretty simple too. Instead of brick, people are using smooth concrete or even matte black metal. It looks super sharp against a white wall.
One thing you really have to watch out for is the heat. These things put out a lot of warmth even though they look simple. You have to check the clearance space for your TV if you plan to hang one above it. You don’t want to damage your electronics because the wall got too hot! But yeah, for a sleek look that feels fresh, this is a solid choice. It’s just so easy to turn on with a remote, which beats hauling wood any day.
2.Rustic Stone and Wood Burning Hearts
There is just something about a real wood fire that you can’t fake. The smell, the popping sound… it’s the best. If you want that cabin feel, you gotta go with stone. I’ve seen some beautiful fireplaces where they take the stone all the way to the ceiling. It makes the room feel taller and grander.
You have a couple of main choices with stone. You can do the round river rocks, which look really old-school and charming. Or you can do the stacked stone, which is a bit cleaner but still feels rugged. A big chunky wood beam for a mantel is pretty much required here. It’s the perfect spot to put family photos or holiday decorations.
But, I have to be real with you. A wood fireplace is work. You have to buy or chop wood, you have to store it, and you have to clean out the ashes. It can get messy. Also, you need to get a chimney sweep out there once a year to keep things safe. If you don’t mind the chores, though, the cozy factor is off the charts. Just make sure you have a good screen so sparks don’t fly onto your rug!
3.Double-Sided Fireplace Dividers
If you have one of those big open floor plans, this is a lifesaver. Sometimes a big room feels sort of empty or too big, you know? A double-sided fireplace works like a wall to break things up, but it keeps the whole space feeling connected. I visited a model home recently that had one of these right between the living room and the dining area. It was awesome because you could enjoy the fire while eating dinner or while watching a movie on the couch.
It’s basically a tunnel of fire with glass on both sides. Most of the ones I see use gas because it is cleaner and easier to figure out the venting. The best part is definitely the light. Since it isn’t a solid brick wall, sunlight can still pass through it. It stops the room from feeling dark or closed off.
Just a heads up, though. These can be a bit pricey to install because the framing has to be done just right. And honestly, you have double the glass to clean. Fingerprints show up really fast on them, especially if you have little ones running around touching everything. But for the look? It might be worth the extra Windex.
4.Traditional Brick with a Twist
We all know that classic red brick fireplace. It’s in so many houses built in the 80s and 90s. Sometimes it looks great, but sometimes it just feels heavy and dark. I actually helped my neighbor update hers last summer, and it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. We decided to paint it.
You have a few options here. We went with a “whitewash” look. You basically mix water with white latex paint—about half and half—and brush it on. Then you wipe some off with a rag. It tones down the red but keeps the texture. It really brightened up her whole living room. If you want something thicker and messier (in a good way), look up “German smear.” That uses wet mortar instead of paint and looks like an old cottage.
If you are brave, painting the brick a solid dark color like navy blue or charcoal is super trendy right now. It makes the white trim pop. Just remember, once you paint brick, it is really hard to go back. So make sure you really want to do it! Also, don’t paint the inside where the fire goes with regular paint; you need special high-heat stuff for that part.
5.Electric Fireplace Media Walls
It used to be a real headache deciding where to put the TV if you had a fireplace. You would get a stiff neck looking up too high, or you had to pick one or the other. Now, building a media wall with an electric fireplace insert is the standard solution, and it just makes sense.
I saw a setup at a friend’s house recently where the fireplace sits right below the flat screen, but it’s surrounded by shelves and cabinets. It looks like one big piece of furniture. The best part about electric ones is they have come a long way. They don’t look like cheap plastic logs anymore. The flames are LED and some even change colors. You can have a blue flame for a party or a regular orange one for a quiet night.
Another huge plus is safety. If you have toddlers or a dog with a wagging tail, these are great because the glass doesn’t get scorching hot like a gas or wood fire. Most of them have “cool touch” glass. Also, you can run the flame effect without the heat. So, if you just want the mood lighting in the middle of July, you can do that without sweating to death. It’s a really flexible option for a family room.
6.Scandi-Style Freestanding Stoves
I’ve been seeing these cute little stoves everywhere lately. They call it “Scandi style,” which comes from Scandinavian design—think about those cozy, snowy winters in Sweden. These freestanding stoves are usually round or oval and stand on a pedestal or legs. They don’t need a huge wall built around them, which is great if you don’t want to do major construction or tear up your drywall.
I love that they fit in corners really well. My aunt has a small sitting room where a big brick fireplace would have been way too crowded. She put a glossy white enamel stove in the corner, and it warms up the whole space super fast. Because they stand out in the room a bit, the heat radiates out into the room better than a fire stuck back in a wall cavity.
They come in fun colors too, not just the standard black iron. I’ve seen cream, bright red, and even deep green. It adds a nice splash of color to the room. Just keep in mind that the vent pipe usually has to go straight up through the ceiling, so you have to plan for where that metal tube will go. But for a modern, cozy vibe that doesn’t feel heavy or old-fashioned, these are a winner.
7.Tiled Statement Surrounds
If you are bored with plain brick or stone, you have to look at tile. It’s like putting a piece of art right on your wall. I’ve been seeing so many cool patterns lately, and it is a great way to show off your personality.
One trend I really like is using those handmade tiles, called Zellige. They are bumpy and shiny, so they catch the light in a really cool way. It makes the fireplace look a little sparkly but not too fancy. I also love the big, bold geometric patterns. I helped a friend pick out some dark green tiles for her place last month. We were worried it would be too dark, but against her white walls, it looked amazing. It became the main thing you noticed in the room.
Another trick is to take the tile all the way up to the ceiling. It makes the room feel so much taller. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good look, either. Even simple subway tile can look expensive if you lay it in a zig-zag or herringbone pattern. Just make sure you pick a grout color that isn’t impossible to keep clean!
Conclusion
Well, we made it through all seven ideas! I hope you feel a little more ready to tackle your living room project now. It really comes down to what fits your life the best. Maybe you need that electric wall because you have kids, or maybe you are dreaming of that crackling wood stove for quiet weekends.
Whatever you pick, a fireplace changes the whole feeling of a house. It just makes it a home, you know? I know it can be a little scary to start ripping out walls or buying big appliances, but I promise it is worth it in the end. My living room is my favorite place to be now that I have mine fixed up.
If you found this list helpful, could you do me a huge favor? Please pin this article to your Home Decor or Renovation board on Pinterest. It helps other people find these ideas too, and I would really appreciate it. Good luck with your renovation, you’re going to do great!
